Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys can be a terrifying experience. There are a few things you can do prior to calling for help at the roadside or locksmith.
Retrace your steps. This will assist you in finding your keys and provide an area to begin before you take further drastic measures.
1. Retract your steps
It's easy to be stressed when you lose your keys. It's possible that you don't realize you've lost them until you have to get inside your home or start your vehicle. If you don't have a spare it can also be a bit of a hassle to get back into your vehicle.
It is important to remain calm and first take a second look. This will allow you to find your keys quicker and avoid having to call an expert locksmith or dealer to get a replacement key. The keys you lost will typically be close to you or in proximity to something you've carried. It's a good idea to comb through your purse, pockets and bags prior to you begin retracing your steps.
Asking your family and friends if they have seen your keys is a good way to find them. They may be able to provide you with useful information and guide you in the right direction. This can be especially useful when you live with roommates or family members.
Check your car if you can't locate your keys after looking through your purses, wallets and bags. It could be that your keys are in the vehicle and you just have to look in the right spot to locate them. This simple action can save you from a lot headaches.
Get a professional's help if your keys aren't in the vehicle. It's a bit expensive but it's well worth it to not worry about being locked out. You should have a spare key to avoid this problem in the future. You could even attach a colorful keychain on your keys to make them easier to spot. This will ensure you'll always know where they are, and can find them quickly. This is an investment that is small but will pay off big time in the long in the long run!
2. Empty your Pockets
It can be a frustrating experience to lose your car keys. It happens more frequently than you think, and usually at the worst possible time such as when you're late for work. In such a situation it is best to remain calm and adhere to these steps.
The first step is to trace your steps. This will help you determine where and when the keys were stolen. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly search your pockets and bags. You should also check the jackets and coats you might have worn. It's also a good idea to ask the staff at any restaurants or stores you've visited if they've seen your keys.
Leaving your keys in the pockets of your clothes can be a very easy thing to forget. This is especially true if you've got an extensive pocket inside a coat or jacket. You should also check your bags. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all conceal lost keys. Check the inside of your vehicle to see whether you have keys.
Take out all pockets from the bags you carry around with you. Also empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will help you see the presence of keys in the lining of your bag. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest areas of your wallet or bag.
Another tip is to go around the house yelling "car keys!" as loudly as you can. This might sound a little absurd, but research has revealed that shouting the name of the thing you're looking for will increase your chances of finding it.
Contact a locksmith if you haven't been able to locate your keys. They can assist you in getting a replacement car key and even install a new door lock if needed.
3. Check Under the Car
It's normal for things to be lost in the shuffle of daily errands, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family to an afternoon spent at the playground. It can be a debit card, your favorite pair sunglasses or even something more crucial like your car keys. If spare car key cut don't have a spare, it can cause a lot of trouble and be a big headache.
Before you get scared take a deep breath and start looking around to find your car keys. It's always best to start with the most obvious locations first. For instance did you put them down on your coffee table when you were heading out the door? Or perhaps you put them on the counter in the kitchen to get something from the fridge, but then shut the door and then forgot about them.
If you've emptied all of your purses and pockets (and in the event that it wasn't locked, have someone help you search the car well), looked back over your day to determine the places they might be missing, and exhausted every surface that you're likely to remember passing on your way out of the home, it may be time to take a look under the car. You don't know if the key fob fell into the crevice between the seat cushion and floor mat or if it was accidentally thrown from your bag when you were reaching into your bag to take something out.
Of course the best method to avoid a situation similar to this is to develop a routine of keeping your keys in the same place when you come home from work. It may take a month or so for it to stick, but the longer you stick to this routine and stick to it, the easier it will be to locate your car keys next time you need them. If you'd like to be prepared for an emergency, you could also include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will save you money on towing charges or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Look back over your day
Sometimes you get distracted by the day-today routine of your kids' activities, running errands meeting friends for dinner, and trying to accomplish every single task at hand that you forget something important. Losing your car keys can be a major setback to your plans.
However, before you begin calling everyone you know to inquire whether they know where your car keys are take a deep breath and take a step back and try not to panic. After you have regained calm, you should go back to the steps you took. When was the last time you thought of having keys to your car? This will help you find the location where your keys may have disappeared.
Then, empty any pockets or bags you might have used to store them. It's also recommended to search in places you would not normally look like your shoe or in the pocket of a coat or jacket. In addition, you should check the location where you keep your keys for your car at home. You might have put them on a desk or in the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's not enjoyable. But if you use these suggestions, you'll be able to find them quickly without calling an locksmith. The best method to avoid this issue in the future is to setting up a designated area to keep your keys when you get inside. After some time you'll become accustomed to it and won't need to worry about losing your keys.